ok so DUI is a problem it seems. can anyone answer this - i've got a drink driving charge from a few years back and the website 'advises' that a visa be applied for. this would ordinarily just be a transit visa as we've got an 18 hour stopover at LAX. i could call and get charged $11 dollars or $2.75 a minute to get an answer that should be free. i'm not going to take any chances with them but just want to get the facts straight. do i really need to fork out $150 and go for an interview for a stopover because i have a drink driving charge?

One question which would be relevant for you Lordsnot is whether the questions/info required for working visas are required for tourist/stop-over visas (I have no idea, but presumably someone would know).

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Following President Obama’s most recent State of the Union address, on January 31, 2012 USCIS released a Fact Sheet summarizing the President’s current actions and future goals with respect to attracting and retaining highly-skilled immigrants.

President Obama’s Goals:
Increase U.S. competitiveness by attracting new talent, businesses, investment, and creating the most skilled workforce in the world. Some of the possible initiatives introduced include:

Creating a “Startup Visa” for entrepreneurs
Strengthening the H-1B program
Automatic green card eligibility for foreign born graduates of US institutions in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) fields

I'm at Barnard College/Columbia University for a semester. I don't really want a job at the college because I'm sure the pay would be terrible, and I'd rather spend my time exploring the city, but I saved up enough money before I left to make sure that I wouldn't need to work. Also, I'm getting youth allowance.

I think the most important thing about your visa ''interview'' is proving that you have enough money to be able to leave the country once your course is over. I brought along a bank statement, as well as letters from Melbourne Uni and Barnard, my travel itinerary, etc.

Also, bring a book and take it with you past security because you will be sitting in the waiting area for a long time. I stupidly left everything except my ID & supporting documents in my bag, and sat waiting with nothing to do except stare at the wall for over an hour.

Do you know anyone who could temporarily transfer enough money into your account? You just need a fairly recent official statement from your bank, they don't actually check how much is in there electronically.